Preparations are underway for the first official visit of the head of the Holy See, Pope Francis to the Land of the Unexpected. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin Tkatchenko has advised that they have initiated the first of the inter government agency meetings in preparation for the historical visit by the head of the Catholic church Pope Francis in August this year. Minister Tkatchenko said the visit by the Holy Father Pope Francis which is scheduled for later this year [August 25th to 28] will be coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and National Events. According to Tkatchenko, Prime Minister James Marape has accepted the confirmation of the Papal visit and the line agencies have begun the process of hosting this important event of the year. Meanwhile, Minister Tkatchenko announced that there will be a submission to National Executive Council for National Events where all 9 positions will be advised for a new structure. “Currently as we stand, we have no certified or permanent staff at all in National Events.” He stated that once the NEC has approved the National Events structure which will be under the Prime Minister’s Department with Tkatchenko as the Minister then they will understand where they will be going forward. “Also, with the National Events will come into play the APEC Haus and International Convention Centre will come under National Events and Prime Minister’s Department.” He added that this will make it easier for everybody to work and get things done so the use those facilities quite often and the Chinese government will completely upgrade and renovate the ICC later on this year. Minister Tkatchenko told government officials that the visit of the Pope would be completely different to the normal programs for state visits for the heads of government and VIP guests. He explained that the decision for the Pope’s visit to the province was yet to be confirmed with what is appropriate for him although the invitation for this visit was originally from West Sepik Province. Pope Francis will be the second pontiff to visit PNG. Pope John Paul II was the first head of the Catholic Church to visit Papua New Guinea twice in 1984 and in 1995.